AKLAN | Bulabog Beach ~ Boracay’s New & Improved Backside Beach
Wednesday, December 07, 2022We were in Boracay and it was time for the sunset. The water was clear and calm, the sand—pristine and fine. Except for a few tourists and local kids swimming and playing about, we almost had the whole stretch of beach to ourselves.
Not really a common statement when in Boracay. But, if you’re at Bulabog Beach, you can definitely experience this.
But, Bulabog Beach? That dirty backside beach? Really?
Well, after Boracay’s rehabilitation, Bulabog Beach has been revived to a good enough alternative to the more famous Boracay White Beach.
BULABOG BEACH BORACAY WHAT’S INSIDE? • Understand Bulabog Beach • What To See & Do In Bulabog Beach • Where To Eat In Bulabog Beach • Where To Stay In Bulabog Beach • BORACAY TRAVEL GUIDE |
UNDERSTAND BULABOG BEACH
AN AERIAL VIEW OF BULABOG BEACH |
Bulabog Beach sits right in the middle of Boracay Island’s east side, it stretches for about two kilometers and runs directly parallel to the White Beach. It’s about ten minutes away by foot from the main road at its closest point.
BULABOG BEACH IS CALM DURING HABAGAT SEASON |
With its east-west relation to the White Beach, these two are in direct contrast to each other. Sunrise at Bulabog Beach, sunset at White Beach. And due to Habagat and Amihan winds, when it’s wavy and windy at the White Beach, it’s calm and clear at Bulabog Beach. And vice versa.
BULABOG BEACH IS NOW VERY CLEAN AND VERY SWIMMABLE |
Usually relegated to water activities like windsurfing, jet-skiing, banana boat, and similar rides before the Boracay rehab—it has since come to its own as a regular white sand beach to hang out in. Gone are the dirty pipes that spew sewage into the waters, and in its place, pristine white sand and crystal clear waters.
And yes, its correct spelling is Bulabog Beach, not Bolabog Beach.
WHAT TO SEE & DO IN BULABOG BEACH
OUR DAILY ROUTINE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS INCLUDES A SWIM AT BULABOG BEACH IN THE MORNING |
During our three-week stay in Boracay, half of these were spent at Bulabog Beach. Since we’re staying at Ferra Hotel & Garden Suites—which is nearer to Bulabog—we’d usually go there right after breakfast. We’d head to the southern area of the beach, choose a shaded spot, spread our beach blanket, and swim till lunchtime.
THE WATER AT BULABOG BEACH ALMOST REACHES THE COCONUT TREES ALONG THE SHORE |
The good thing about Bulabog Beach is that trees are closer to the water, especially so during high tide, so you don’t need to go far for a swim. Just watch out for coconuts or dried leaves that might fall on your head. The sand at Bulabog Beach is creamy white and is also quite fine. The only problem is that there are some stones and broken corals along with it.
THE BEST SWIMMING SPOT IN BULABOG BEACH |
Fortunately, we found the best spot for swimming in Bulabog Beach [GPS LOCATION: 11.962514, 121.930940]. Located on the southern area of the beach, right in front of Aqua Resort, this place has pure white sand—zero stones and corals. This is probably due to Aqua Resort’s daily beach clean-up.
BORACAY’S POPULAR LEANING COCONUT TREE |
Another popular spot in Bulabog Beach is the leaning coconut tree [GPS LOCATION: 11.964928, 121.929316] which extends right into the water. It’s a good spot for photo ops—so good, in fact, that people actually line up to have a photo taken on it.
FANCY A RIDE AND A PHOTO-OP ON A CRYSTAL KAYAK? |
And, of course, there are the usual stand-up paddle boards and crystal kayak rides offered along the shore. Both of these are usually more for social media photo-ops rather than actual paddle boarding or kayaking, but we saw a few who actually rode them for their intended use.
BULABOG BEACH’S ANSWER TO THE WHITE BEACH’S WILLY’S ROCK, THE BULABOG ROCK |
If ever you tire of the beach, there is a brick path you can follow that leads to the far southern end of Bulabog Beach—just be on the look-out for stray dogs. There, you can find Bulabog Rock [GPS LOCATION: 11.961099, 121.935066], a mini-islet some meters away from the shore, and much closer to the shore, the Bulabog Rock Garden [GPS LOCATION: 11.960236, 121.933701].
ATI KIDS PLAYING THE AFTERNOON AWAY AT BULABOG BEACH |
And further on, the Ati Tribe Village [GPS LOCATION: 11.957945, 121.933956], where actual Ati people—the original inhabitants of the island—actually live. The Ati Komunidad is also located in the area, showcasing their ways and livelihood.
WHERE TO EAT IN BULABOG BEACH
THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF BULABOG BEACH |
There are a lot of restaurants surrounding Bulabog Beach.
For budget travelers, there are carinderias and cheap eateries along the side-streets of Bulabog Beach where a rice-meal can be had for less than a hundred pesos. These are where we usually eat.
THE MONKEY TREE CAFE & BAR AT BULABOG BEACH ~ PHOTO FROM FB PAGE |
For those with a bit more money, there are restaurants and bars right along the beach. Some of the notable ones we saw at the center of Bulabog Beach were Levantin, Lazy Dog Bed & Breakfast, Niu Ohana East Bay, The Monkey Tree Café & Bar, and The Bulabar.
BACK BEACH BURGERS BORACAY’S MONSTER BURGERS ~ PHOTO FROM FB PAGE |
On the northern portion of the beach, there’s Moksha Café, Tambayan Boracay, and Back Beach Burgers Boracay.
There are also a few small and cozy restaurants along the southern part of Bulabog Beach, which has less tourists and a quieter ambience that might make you feel you’re not even in Boracay.
Personally, I prefer the food places along the center and southern parts of Bulabog Beach since they sit right by the beach, unlike their northern counterparts which is divided by an actual road from the beach.
WHERE TO STAY IN BULABOG BEACH
THE SO-CALLED BULABOG ROCK GARDEN AT THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE BEACH |
There are a lot of interesting accommodations and resorts along Bulabog Beach, from budget-friendly hostels and lodgings, to posh five-star resorts. For this list, I’m listing beach-front resorts with unique character that will appeal to different kinds of travelers.
AISSATOU BEACH RESORT BORACAY IN BULABOG BEACH ~ PHOTO FROM AGODA |
AISSATOU BEACH RESORT BORACAY
For those looking for an area with less tourists and with a rustic and quiet ambience. Aissatou also have a small café which can satellite right beside the waters of the beach.
THE LUXURIOUS FIVE-STAR AQUA BORACAY RESORT |
AQUA BORACAY
For tourists with budget that want high end accommodation, luxury, and service. Aqua Boracay has the best beach area in Bulabog—well-shaded by coconut trees and stone/coral-free shore and waters. The resort has a pool too.
TIKI-FEELS AT LEVANTIN BORACAY |
LEVANTIN BORACAY RESORT
For people who want a very tropical vibe, Levantin Boracay Resort is the place to go. It also has a popular beach restobar.
BANANA BAY BORACAY IS A BEACH FRONT BOUTIQUE HOTEL ~ PHOTO FROM AGODA |
BANANA BAY BORACAY
For those who want high-end feels but on a smaller scale. Banana Bay Boracay also have a pool and a restobar facing the beach.
RUSTIC AND FREE-SPIRITED VIBE AT THE LAZY DOG BED & BREAKFAST ~ PHOTO FROM AGODA |
THE LAZY DOG BED & BREAKFAST
For a really rustic feel with lots of open-aired area and greeneries. The Lazy Dog Bed & Breakfast isn’t really beach-front, but is quite notable, and really close enough to the beach.
ROOFTOP POOL AT CHILLAX FLASHPACKERS BORACAY’S PARTY HOSTEL ~ PHOTO FROM AGODA |
CHILLAX FLASHPACKERS BORACAY
A hostel for budget backpackers who are single and ready to mingle. Chillax Flashpackers is also not beach-front, but is close enough to consider.
REEF RETREAT RESORT’S HOMEY AMBIENCE |
REEF RETREAT RESORT
For budget and mid-range travelers who doesn’t want the co-mingling feel of a hostel. Reef Retreat Resort offers peace and quiet and with a huge open area and greeneries.
ONE OF THE GARDEN SUITES AT FERRA HOTEL & GARDEN SUITES |
FERRA HOTEL & GARDEN SUITES
For travelers who want to experience the friendliest hotel in Boracay. Not beach-front, but this chic boutique garden hotel definitely has a heart. Besides having excellent service, they have excellent food too. They has a restobar beside a rooftop infinity pool.
0 comments